YMCA of the Triangle

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FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
FOR HEALTHY LIVING
FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Camp Clearwater

1720 Clearwater Lake Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Directions
919-987-8856
Kaitlyn.Boigner@YMCATriangle.org

Our Best Offer

Register before March 1, 2026, and get last year’s prices on YMCA Summer Day Camp. Sign up now to reserve your child’s spot and save. Exclusions apply.

A $20 weekly deposit holds your child’s spot.

Summer 2026

YMCA Camp Clearwater (for rising grades 1 - 8) is camp just like you remember as a kid. Set on the backdrop of beautiful Clearwater Lake, campers get to experience outdoor activities and discover new hobbies surrounded by nature and new friends. From canoeing to archery, crafts to games, campers at Camp Clearwater will leave with full hearts and friends that last well past the last day of summer.

Campers swim at an off-site YMCA pool each session and take part in regular water games at camp, but do not swim in Clearwater Lake (that's for the turtles, fish and canoes).

While camp activities are adapted with consideration of weather conditions, Camp Clearwater is a completely outdoor setting.

See bus transportation options at the bottom of this page.

YMCA Summer Day Camp

At the YMCA, we take fun seriously. We know when kids are engaged and entertained, they learn and retain more. Our camps provide opportunities for children and teens to discover new interests, make new friends and develop strong values. 
  
Our mostly college & high school-aged counselors are role models, committed to providing opportunities for every camper to thrive and discover what makes them unique.

The prices below assume parent/guardian transportation to/from camp.

We can’t wait to see your children this summer. After all, a strong summer means strong kids. 

Theme Day Date Time Early Price Price on March 1 Ages

Calling all aliens, astronauts, time travelers, and wizards! Your camper will blast out of this world and into summer at the YMCA! Campers will fuel up their spaceships, time-traveling cars, and brooms this week. Campers bring their magic, stars, and amazing costumes to a week so fun, it’s out of this world!
Mon - Fri
Jun 15 - Jun 19 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 6 - 14

Calling all aliens, astronauts, time travelers, and wizards! Your camper will blast out of this world and into summer at the YMCA! Campers will fuel up their spaceships, time-traveling cars, and brooms this week. Campers bring their magic, stars, and amazing costumes to a week so fun, it’s out of this world!

This high-energy week brings campers together through teamwork, character building, and vibrant activities. Each day, a YMCA character trait and color are highlighted with games, crafts, and challenges. The week ends with a Color Run, a fun race where campers celebrate community and spirit with a burst of bright colors.
Mon - Fri
Jun 22 - Jun 26 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 6 - 14

This high-energy week brings campers together through teamwork, character building, and vibrant activities. Each day, a YMCA character trait and color are highlighted with games, crafts, and challenges. The week ends with a Color Run, a fun race where campers celebrate community and spirit with a burst of bright colors.

It’s America’s birthday—and camp is throwing the party! Campers celebrate with red, white and blue games, challenges, crafts, and celebrations as camp honors 250 years of history, community, and summer fun the YMCA way.
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Jun 29 - Jul 2 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$196 PP:$246 M:$206 PP:$258 6 - 14

It’s America’s birthday—and camp is throwing the party! Campers celebrate with red, white and blue games, challenges, crafts, and celebrations as camp honors 250 years of history, community, and summer fun the YMCA way.

It’s a week full of games, laughter, and classic carnival fun. Campers step right up to creative activities, silly challenges, and festive surprises that bring the magic of the midway to life.
Mon - Fri
Jul 6 - Jul 10 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 6 - 14

It’s a week full of games, laughter, and classic carnival fun. Campers step right up to creative activities, silly challenges, and festive surprises that bring the magic of the midway to life.

Camp hits rewind and campers learn what made yesterday so awesome! Campers step into different time periods, learning how people lived, played, created, and imagined the world. With themed crafts, outdoor adventures, dress-up days, and classic games, every era becomes a brand-new adventure.
Mon - Fri
Jul 13 - Jul 17 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 6 - 14

Camp hits rewind and campers learn what made yesterday so awesome! Campers step into different time periods, learning how people lived, played, created, and imagined the world. With themed crafts, outdoor adventures, dress-up days, and classic games, every era becomes a brand-new adventure.

Campers explore the excitement of different holidays like the 4th of July, Christmas, Halloween, and more—through games, crafts, and festive challenges. Each day immerses kids in a new celebration, sparking imagination and cultural curiosity. The week wraps up with a special YMCA Birthday Party, where all campers come together for a joyful celebration of the Y.
Mon - Fri
Jul 20 - Jul 24 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 6 - 14

Campers explore the excitement of different holidays like the 4th of July, Christmas, Halloween, and more—through games, crafts, and festive challenges. Each day immerses kids in a new celebration, sparking imagination and cultural curiosity. The week wraps up with a special YMCA Birthday Party, where all campers come together for a joyful celebration of the Y.

Campers dance at a beach party, play wet and wild water games, do seaside inspired crafts, and splash around with new friends. Summer might be hot, but at the YMCA it's nothing but fun in the summer sun! 
Mon - Fri
Jul 27 - Jul 31 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 6 - 14

Campers dance at a beach party, play wet and wild water games, do seaside inspired crafts, and splash around with new friends. Summer might be hot, but at the YMCA it's nothing but fun in the summer sun! 

Campers are the stars during this week filled with excitement and imagination. Through arts and crafts, active games, and tons of other fun activities, campers will experience what it’s like to live the Hollywood life.
Mon - Fri
Aug 3 - Aug 7 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 6 - 14

Campers are the stars during this week filled with excitement and imagination. Through arts and crafts, active games, and tons of other fun activities, campers will experience what it’s like to live the Hollywood life.

Campers will step into their own superhero stories through teamwork challenges, creative missions, and character-building fun. This week celebrates courage, kindness, and the unique strengths of every hero.
Mon - Fri
Aug 10 - Aug 14 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 6 - 14

Campers will step into their own superhero stories through teamwork challenges, creative missions, and character-building fun. This week celebrates courage, kindness, and the unique strengths of every hero.
Registration Opens in January

Camp Clearwater FAQ

Monday/Wednesday/Friday:
7:00 - 8:45 a.m. Rides In (drop-off)
8:45 - 9:20 a.m. Morning Assembly
9:30 - 10:20 a.m. Open Programming Block 1
10:30 - 10:50 a.m. Snack 1 and Suncreen
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Open Programming Block 2
12:00 - 12:40 p.m. Lunch
12:40 - 1:20 p.m. Bead Time and Sunscreen
1:30 - 2:10 p.m. Open Programming Block 3
2:20 - 3:10 p.m. Open Programming Block 4
3:20 - 3:50 p.m. Afternoon Assembly
4:00 - 4:20 p.m. Snack 2 and Bead Time
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Rides Out (pick-up)

Tuesday/Thursday:
7:00 - 8:45 a.m. Rides In (drop-off)
8:45 - 9:20 a.m. Morning Assembly
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Open Programming Block 1
10:40 - 11:20 a.m. Lunch, Sunscreen, Change for Swim
11:30 - 11:50 a.m. Bus to swimming at YMCA at Meadowmont
12:00 - 12:50 p.m. Swimming at Meadowmont
1:00 - 1:20 p.m. Bus back to Camp Clearwater
1:20 - 2:00 p.m. Change, Sunscreen, Bead Time, Snack
2:10 - 3:10 p.m. Open Programming Block 2
3:20 - 3:50 p.m. Afternoon Assembly
4:00 - 4:20 p.m. Snack 2 and Bead Time
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Rides Out (pick-up)

*While subject to change here's a FULL schedule view.

  • Rides In will take place in the circle from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.; please wait for a head counselor to check in your camper before sending them out of your car. Our busiest time of Rides In is from 8:15 - 8:45 a.m. and on Monday mornings as we welcome new campers and acclimate them to camp. Please be patient with us as we navigate these busy times!
  • Rides Out is from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and will be run in the same area as Rides In. The person picking up must have their authorized pick-up slip (provided on your child’s first day of camp) or an ID as a safety precaution. Our busiest time of Rides Out is from 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. Please be patient with us as we navigate these busy times!

Bus Options (registration required):

  • The morning bus leaves from the Amity United Methodist Church on Estes Drive directly next to the YMCA at 8:15 a.m. The afternoon bus arrives back at the church at 5:15 p.m. If you are late picking up, we will take campers back to Clearwater and you will need to pick them up onsite at camp to keep our bus times consistent and on time.
  • If you are registered for bus transportation and DO NOT want your child on a bus on a specific day, please let us know 24 hours in advance, either by email or through a phone call so we can communicate those changes effectively to our team.

All campers are required to wear a life vest, provided by the Y, unless they have completed the Y's swim band evaluation. Swim evaluations are offered at camp on Mondays and during family swim times in the evenings and weekends.

All swim evaluation decisions are at the discretion of our lifeguard team; if they do not feel a camper is ready for a yellow band, the camper will need to wear a life jacket while swimming at Meadowmont.